Lets Reload some Ammo!

[dmccarty]

Regarding the disposing of primers in cases. If you spray WD40 on the primer that should prevent the primer from discharging. I think I read this in one of the reloading books/manuals. I know I have done this when I had a primer that needed to be tossed for some reason.

Later,
Dan

 

[Soundguy]

The cutters both seem to be doing the right thing for mil crimps, but IMO one a bit much and one barely enough. For many, 'loose pockets' are grounds for immediate discard of a case. (In ARs losing one into the action is a bear.)

I wouldn't expect cases trimmed with the Lyman tool shown to hold primers to my stds for other than bolt guns. (.. would set that one aside for now) I've seen/felt/measured seating pressure avg ~1/2 the norm in once-fired 5.56s with such a deep chamfer and prefer swaging vs reaming much for that reason. YMMV btw: overly deep pockets/seating can cause light primer strikes, a whole 'nother issue.

Have yet to see a pocket swaging tool I didn't like, whether bench-mount or press model. Sometimes a sharp edge stands out a bit after swaging, but it's easily cleaned up with the gentlest bump from any chamfering tool just as a neck would be.

only thing i can think of is lyman changed their tool.

the lyman primer pocket reamer i have uses an inverted square shoulder and does not leave a v-cut profile like either of the pictures.

the pic on the left i'd use.. the on eon the right looks like someone took a countersink bit to. I see lots of reloaders do that. too cheap to buy a 5$ proper crimp reamer that bottoms, and instead buy a screw head countersing with a wide taper and 'hit the crimp' with it. that's really what that right pic looks like.

can someone post a pic of what lyman is NOW selling as their crimp remover? evidentally they have changed the tool sinc i picked up mine.

 

[Soundguy]

It does bottom but removes quite a bit of brass even from non-crimped brass. Not the best picture but you can see the difference. The one on the left was trimmed with the RCBS Military Crimp Remover and the one on the right was with the Lyman tool. Neither were crimped brass. Maybe it is just me but it seems the less brass removed the better.

View attachment 350439

wow.. no way my luman tool would or could do that. can you post a pic of your tool? i'm betting / guessing that lyman has changed the cut profile of the tool since i bought mine.

 

[Soundguy]

Yeah, I would not be satisfied with the one on the right either.. seems the shank is a bit too short and allows it to go to far.

yep.. that looks way wrong... i'd like to see a pic of the tool that made that. I can run my cases onthe crimp remover and hold there till my hand is tired and once bottomed.. there is no more cutting.

either the shank is short.. or the primer pocket is too deep.. or it's a combo tool with a pp true end mill on it and was cutting deeper intothe pocket.. or they have added a wide angle taper cutting edge to ther new tools.

i would not run the one on the right either.

 

[dmccarty]

Hand loaded PD I've always heard is a bad idea just like modifying a gun for carry. Always heard the prosecutor would have a field day.

Pretty sure that I have read Massad Ayoob stating that you should not use reloads in a duty/carry weapon for legal reasons. The idea is that a lawyer could argue that you created a more powerful round than a commercial round. Well, you can't make a more powerful round unless one violates the round specifications and a decent lawyer could easily prove this fact. On the other hand, you never know what a jury will do and if the case is a border line case, the idea that the round was reloaded by the shooter might be enough to influence the jury in spite of the facts.

I don't believe everything that Ayoob has written and I have seen some decent criticisms of his work so I take what he says with a block of salt. However, I think in this case, his advice is good. I work with lawyers and they try to minimize risk when possible. If Joe shoots someone with a reload, the opposing lawyer can spend time arguing that the reload is more "powerful." Joe's lawyer now has to refute that the round was more "powerful" instead of spending time arguing other parts of the case. The reload could be a distraction and just might be the straw the broke the camel's back.

The odds of anyone on TBN using a weapon for self defense are low, and the odds of being in court over the incident are even lower, however I would never use reloads for defensive purposes since even with today's prices, ammo is pretty cheap compared to the cost of an hour of lawyer time.

Later,
Dan

 

[k0ua]

Pretty sure that I have read Massad Ayoob stating that you should not use reloads in a duty/carry weapon for legal reasons. The idea is that a lawyer could argue that you created a more powerful round than a commercial round. Well, you can't make a more powerful round unless one violates the round specifications and a decent lawyer could easily prove this fact. On the other hand, you never know what a jury will do and if the case is a border line case, the idea that the round was reloaded by the shooter might be enough to influence the jury in spite of the facts.

I don't believe everything that Ayoob has written and I have seen some decent criticisms of his work so I take what he says with a block of salt. However, I think in this case, his advice is good. I work with lawyers and they try to minimize risk when possible. If Joe shoots someone with a reload, the opposing lawyer can spend time arguing that the reload is more "powerful." Joe's lawyer now has to refute that the round was more "powerful" instead of spending time arguing other parts of the case. The reload could be a distraction and just might be the straw the broke the camel's back.

The odds of anyone on TBN using a weapon for self defense are low, and the odds of being in court over the incident are even lower, however I would never use reloads for defensive purposes since even with today's prices, ammo is pretty cheap compared to the cost of an hour of lawyer time.

Later,
Dan

Agreed, as cheap as I am, even I don't use reloads in any PD guns. Never have, never will

 

[the old grind]

wow.. no way my lyman tool would or could do that. can you post a pic of your tool? i'm betting / guessing that lyman has changed the cut profile of the tool since i bought mine.

Want to be sure we distinguish between a mil crimp remover and a pocket uniformer. Different purposes and different 'cutting' profiles.

Not to go OT, but this reminds me of flash-hole deburring tools. My Lyman required careful setting of the guide or just the right feel to not cut too deep. Possum Hollow's version has a collar to limit depth/chamfer. I combined pieces from the two and came up with this: (right)


The PH cutter's collar limits depth of cut, the spring centers and allows for different pre-trim length or caliber. (still adjustable tho') 'Handle' is pc of rubber hose and provides enuf leverage for a 'finger-touch' cleanup. I usually inspect f-h's as I debur ... 'er just to get my $$ worth from the Hawkeye.

 

[TCJatko]

I reloaded for many years, primarily because I had uncommon caliber guns, and it saved a lot.

I know you are showing pistol reloading here, but I started with reloading rifle ammo for two reasons:

1. Typically fewer cartridges, which is easier for the beginner, and

2. Safety. I have never seen a rifle load where a double charge of powder would fit in the case. If I double charged one, there was powder all over and the fact that something was wrong was very apparent. With many powders and calibers a single charge had to be "persuaded" to fit into the case. I was just plain not possible to put too much in.

Pistol is not nearly as forgiving. A double charge will easily fit into the case, and in many instances will only be apparent with careful inspection of the charged cases before seating the bullet.

This reminds me of a story I heard when I was in the USAF and stationed in Utah. A local pawn shop had a ruined revolver up on the wall: cylinder bulged, back strap broken. Story was that to save money the Ogden PD had taken to reloading ammo, and to further save on labor costs had taken to having "trusted" inmates do the work. Needless to say, some "trusted" individual worked up a real "hot" load. Buyer beware.

 

[Soundguy]

yep. there are uniformers that are essentially depth limited mills. and there are flash hole cleaners.

IMHO.. a flash hole cleaner might ream out if run to hard in.

wonder if the op is using the wrong tool?

Want to be sure we distinguish between a mil crimp remover and a pocket uniformer. Different purposes and different 'cutting' profiles.

Not to go OT, but this reminds me of flash-hole deburring tools. My Lyman required careful setting of the guide or just the right feel to not cut too deep. Possum Hollow's version has a collar to limit depth/chamfer. I combined pieces from the two and came up with this: (right)
View attachment 350584View attachment 350585View attachment 350586

The PH cutter's collar limits depth of cut, the spring centers and allows for different pre-trim length or caliber. (still adjustable tho') 'Handle' is pc of rubber hose and provides enuf leverage for a 'finger-touch' cleanup. I usually inspect f-h's as I debur ... 'er just to get my $$ worth from the Hawkeye.

 

[Soundguy]

Agreed, as cheap as I am, even I don't use reloads in any PD guns. Never have, never will

i don't use reloads as carry ammo either.. however.. that begs the question.. how would anyone know what you have.

my reloads.. at leas the ones that are only on a few cycles.. look like factory ammo. it's not untill the brass gets a dark patina that i can tell the difference.